Collaborating for REDD+
The Forest Investment Program and its Partners at the Country Level
2:00–5:30pm
ADB Auditorium, Zones C & D
Objectives
- Discuss challenges and opportunities for FIP to implement REDD+ at the country level
- Exchange ideas on FIP collaboration for scaled-up REDD+ Moderator Hosney El-Lakany, FIP Expert Group Co-Chair
Facilitator - Ray Gordezky, Threshold Associates
A G E N D A
Session 1
2:00-2:15 pm: Introduction to the Forest Investment Program (FIP)
This introductory session will provide an update on FIP features such as objectives, purpose, scope and the process to select regional and country pilots to receive FIP funding.
2:15-3:45 pm: Institutional collaboration for REDD+ at the country level
| Key questions: How can FIP activities complement other REDD+ efforts at the country level and maximize collaboration among stakeholders? |
Guided by short discussion inputs from Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), UN-REDD, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Indigenous Peoples, Indonesia and Norway, this session will discuss REDD+ coordination and collaboration at the country level among REDD+ efforts such as FCPF and UN-REDD, and other relevant partners engaged in sustainable management of forests, such as GEF. Participants will exchange ideas about how the FIP can complement REDD+ efforts in selected pilots.
3:45-4:00 pm: Break
4:00-5:20pm: FIP and scaling-up activities for REDD+ at the country level
| Key questions: FIP investments are intended to initiate transformational changes in the forest sector and those sectors affecting the integrity of the forest ecosystems. How can FIP leverage its efforts to promote additional activities from other sources for scaled-up impact at the country level? |
| What is REDD+? Loss of tropical forests, representing 15-20% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, is a leading cause of global climate change. Thus, reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks —an agenda known as REDD+—has become a major component of international climate change negotiations. |
The Forest Investment Program (FIP) is a targeted program under the Strategic Climate Fund, one of two Climate Investment Funds implemented by five Multilateral Development Banks. The FIP’s main purpose is to support developing countries’ REDD efforts, providing up-front bridge financing for readiness reforms and public and private investments identified through national REDD+ readiness strategy building efforts. The FIP will contribute to generating multiple benefits such as biodiversity conservation, protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, poverty reduction and rural livelihoods enhancements. The FIP will finance efforts to address underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation and to overcome barriers at the country and regional levels.
As of February 4, 2010, six countries have pledged $406 million to the FIP, with which the FIP governing Sub-Committee has agreed to finance five country and regional pilots. These activities are expected to contribute to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks. With selection of the FIP pilots and approval of important policy documents such as the FIP Operational Guidelines and FIP Investment Criteria and Financing Modalities, the FIP will start implementation at the country level.
While the REDD+ international architecture is still in discussion, countries are already investing resources to addressing REDD+ challenges in their national and regional contexts. A wide range of institutions have a mandate to support REDD+ activities, such as the FCPF, UN-REDD, the FIP and carbon-market facilities. Other stakeholders such as the private sector, GEF, local and international NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral institutions have worked in the forest sector and related fields, and local communities and indigenous peoples have managed forests and forest landscapes for sustaining their livelihoods and socio-cultural and spiritual values.
In short, the institutional and social landscape is complex but rich in opportunities for partnerships. Developing countries have expressed the need for harmonization of institutional and program activities at the country level that matches the needs for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems expressed through national strategies and plans. Achieving this, together with an inclusive process that fully engages national and local stakeholders, presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
The panel will discuss and identify opportunities and challenges for the FIP to collaborate with other partners and stakeholders to maximize its contribution. The panel will share ideas how thiscollaboration could best be encouraged and steps towards transformational change initiated.
